Pain relief through a focus on function

Pain is
a signal from the body to the brain that something is wrong.
Either theback is too weak, too inflexible or the wrong body
mechanics were used to perform a task.

Doctors who focus exclusively on pain symptoms
often recommend treatment that is the exact opposite of what
is actually needed. Historically, doctors have treated back pain
with bed rest and heavy drugs to mask the patient’s discomfort.
However, this type of treatment is actually more damaging to
the back. It causes back muscles to weaken, which leads to more
strain and pain. Patients became dependent on drugs and grew
inactive and disabled.

Pain relief can actually be achieved through movement.
Low-impact sports such as walking and swimming are ideal in making
the back feel better and stronger.

Working with a therapist may be necessary for optimal
recovery from back or neck pain. Therapists are able to relieve pain
using specialized techniques, tissue and joint mobilization and personalized
exercises. A therapist is also trained to recognize the boundaries
of back and neck pain patients, in order to maximize therapy without
causing further injury.

Preventing
back & neck pain

Proper multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs are structured
around returning patients to the tasks of everyday life. Once
the collaborative effort has paid off, and this has been achieved,
it is important to prevent future back attacks. In just about
any job situation, there are going to be hazards that need to
be avoided, whether it is sitting at a desk or working in a warehouse. Click
here for more specific ways to prevent back or neck
injuries.

Sitting
at a desk

You may have encountered the term "ergonomics," which
is surfacing more and more in the workplace. Ergonomics is a
science concerned with designing and arranging things people
use in the safest and most efficient manner possible.

Ergonomics is often applied to people who sit at
a desk all day. While it seems harmless, sitting for long periods
of time can actually cause back pain. It unloads weight on the
back, especially if the chair is poorly designed.

The basic rules of desk-related
ergonomics:

Make sure your chair molds properly to your back.
Many employers concerned with the safety of their workers purchase
chairs that support the low back. If you are too short or too tall
for your back to rest properly in these chairs, or if your company
does not offer ergonomically designed chairs, consider bringing in
a rolled-up towel. Place it behind your low back to reduce the amount
of stress on the back.

Make sure your feet rest flat on the floor. If this
is a problem, use a footstool. Proper foot and leg alignment will
ease back stress.

While typing on a computer, your forearms and thighs
should be parallel to ensure proper shoulder alignment. If necessary,
use a pad to support your wrists while typing.

When you type, your neck should not have to crane
constantly, as your eyes dart from keyboard to monitor. The monitor
should be at eye-level or slightly below eye-level.

Get up and move around every half hour, even if it's
just a quick stretch by the side of your desk. Your back enjoys movement,
so reward it occasionally.

Standing
for long periods

Many jobs involve standing for long periods of time, such as teachers
and cashiers. People rarely equally distribute their weight onto both
legs while standing. Instead, they tend to shift their weight from
one side to another, throwing the spine out of alignment, which can
lead to back strain.

If you have difficulty standing without shifting weight,
try standing with one leg on a footrest, periodically switching feet.
Take a minute every now and then to do back exercises that will help loosen up stiffness.

Driving
and back pain

Muscles were designed to move and stretch. Sitting pulls muscles into
a shortened position, causing stiffness. Also, the sciatic nerve, which
runs between the spine and thighs, can be compressed by the weight
of sitting for a long time.

Just like at a desk job, driving for a long period
of time can cause strain on the back. Many seats in cars are
designed to support the spine properly, but even if your car
was designed ergonomically, your height may differ from the
height of the person the seat was designed for.

Be sure to remove your wallet from your back
pocket before a long drive, as it can place pressure on the
sciatic nerve. To prevent back pain, stop and stretch every
hour or so to keep muscles loosened up. Feel it out. If your
back hurts after a long drive, roll up a towel and place it
behind your low back to support the lumbar
spine.

Lifting
heavy objects at work

A long drive in the car is often followed by an attempt to yank heavy
suitcases out of the trunk. Watch out. Your back is at high risk of
injury. Even if you have not been driving long distances, lifting heavy
objects might be a normal part of your day-to-day tasks at work. Accidents
are prone to occur during improper lifting. Mothers are also at risk
when it comes to heavy lifting. Lifting a child can cause back strain
if not done properly. To learn how to lift properly, click here.

Where to find us

Kenai Spine is the only spine center in the State of Alaska to be included in Spine Center Network, an exclusive national listing of spine centers of excellence that meet credentialing criteria related to fellowship-trained spine surgeons; non-surgical Mayo Clinic-trained MD physical medicine specialist for back and neck pain; and affiliated spine therapists. With an office on the Kenai Peninsula, and two offices in Anchorage, Kenai Spine provides great convenience to those with back pain or neck pain problems who live around Anchorage, including Wasilla, Palmer, Eagle River and the Mat-Su Valley. Click here for directions to our Anchorage offices or our main office in Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula.

Home Remedy Book

Our spine Internet site acts as on-line spine encyclopedia. In addition, as a free community service, Kenai Spine mails out Home Remedy Books on a limited basis to residents in Alaska. Click here to learn more.

Second Opinions

For those back and neck pain sufferers who have exhausted nonsurgical treatment options, spine surgery may be the next step in resolving a spine problem. Because spine surgery is a serious decision, it is a good idea to obtain a second opinion. Click here to learn more.

Back to Life

We provide a 16-page Back to Life Journal featuring information on the latest treatment options for back and neck pain. To subscribe, please click here.

Symptoms Chart

What do your symptoms indicate? Some symptoms represent emergencies and need to be seen immediately by a spine specialist. Click here to learn more.